Fireproof door.



| man onrm, Drum I'HUItbHUN AND RELATED DEVICES.

I. A. WHEELER 6:, G. WEBER.

FIREPROOF'DOOH.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. H. I916;

Patented Apr. 9,1918.

UNl'llill) S1 'lE-S PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES AJWHEELEE, or SOMERSET COUNTY, AND GEORGE WEBER, 0E UNION HILL, NEW

' Y JERSEY.

FIREPROOF DOOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 14, 1916. Serial No. 136,829.

To all whom it may concern: I 7

Be it known that we, JAMES A. WH ELER, a resident of the county of Somerset, in the State of New Jersey, and GEORGE TVEBER, a resident of Union Hill, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, both citizens..of the United States, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fireproof Doors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fireproof doors of that class in which the door is constructed of a fireproof composition material having the character of artificial lumber, and it has for its object to provide a simple and improved fireproof door of this character which will possess advantages especially in lightness and strength, can be conveniently and economically manufactured, will be comparatively inexpensive in construction, will be adapted for convenient and effective adj ustment to compensate for variations in the door-opening frames, and which will afford the maximum of efiectiveness and general efficiency.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a face View of a portion of the door embodying our improvements, partly broken away to show the interior construction.

Fig. 2 isa detail horizontal cross-section, on the line a2w, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical cross-section, on the line z 'y, Fig. 1. v

Fig. 1 is a face view of a portion of the door, illustrating a modified type according to our invention, and partly broken away to show the interior construction.

Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal cross-section, on the line 22, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View illustrating in dotted lines the adjustment of the door in its adaptation to variation in the door-openin frame.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional perspective view illustrating a modified construction for bracing the internal strips or bars.

Fig. 8 is a face view corresponding to Fig. 1 and illustrating a modified construction.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same reference characters.

Our improved door comprises primarily outside plates or sheets, 11, which constitute the main outer faces or sides. These sheets are formed of a rigid non-metallic composition of low heat conductivity and separated a suitable distance to form an internal air space, as at 2, extending interiorly of the door throughout the area of said side sheets, and the latter are braced in their separated position by strips or bars, 8, extending between the respective sheets in the area or space 2 and suitably secured at their edges, H, in connection with the sheets adhesively or otherwise. The strips or bars 3 preferably extend longitudinally with relation to the side sheets in series at suitable intervals within the area or space 2, and they are constituted by fireproof material corresponding in its fireproof characteristics to the main sheets 1 and are preferably formed of a corresponding rigid non-metallic composition undeformable by heat.

The non-metallic composition body of the door, as above described, is clamped and braced by a metallic sheathing extending continuously at the edge portion of the door and bridging and embracing the edge portion of the two respective side sheets or plates 11 to clamp the same in relative position and effectively maintain their relationship in the door structure. The metallic edge-sheathing is constituted by sheet metal or a plate, 5, bent or formed into approximately U-shape in cross-section and having the central or base portion thereof, as at 6, bridging the edges of the two respective side sheets 11 and the wings or side portions, as at 7-7, of suitable width to respectively cover a portion of the outer face of the respective side sheets at the edge portion of the door. The metallic sheathing plate thus constitutes the entire exterior surface at the edge portion of the door and serves the ofli'ce of a metallic wearing surface in conjunction with its main ofiice of clamping and securing the non-metallic fireproof composition side sheets and body elements of the door in their structural relationship and also bracing and strengthening the general conditions in the door structure. The sheathing plates,

which thus constitute the metallic exterior surface of the door at the edge portion, are preferably fitted closely in contact with the abutting surfaces of the non-metallic composition side sheets and are secured thereto in their relative position in any suitable manner, preferably by means of bolts or screws, as at 8, extending transversely from the side wings 7 of the sheathing plate 5 and entering or passing through the side sheets 1.

In the practical preferred construction ac cording to ourinvention, the internal bracing strip or bar 8 which is nearest the edge portion of the door body is preferably set a short distance within and from the plane of the edges of the separated side sheets 11, thus leaving an internal space, as at 9, between the central or base portion 6 of the metallic sheathing plate 5 and said strip or bar. This relative arrangement most effectively braces the edge portion of the door, and it is furthermore related to the important feature of the adaptability of our improved door to adjustment to compensate for variation in the door-opening frames. Such adjustment is conveniently and readily efiected by removing the edge-sheathing plate 5 and cutting down the edges of the side sheets 1-1 (as indicated in dotted lines at 10, in Fig. 6), after which the sheathing plate is again secured in position in a plane within that in which it was originally set; or, an adjustment may be effected by moving the edge-sheathing plate outwardly in its relative position (as indicated by the dotted lines at 11, in Fig. 6), or if the sheathing plate is initially set with its central or base portion 6 a short distance from the edge of the side sheets 1, it may then be adjusted either inwardly or outwardly to compensate for any conditions of variation in the door-- opening frame. This adjustable provision, in the structural conditions and characteristics of our improved door, is an important feature, as doors of the fireproof type to which our improvements relate cannot be reduced in size by working down the edge, as in wooden doors, and to compensate for variable conditions it has usually been necessary in the employment of this type of fireproof doors to provide for adjustment by the comparatively expensive method of having an adjustable door-jamb construction in the framework of the door-opening.

As before set forth, the metallic edgesheathing plates extend continuously at the edge portion of the door body, and the improved door thus comprises an entirely sheathed and protected edge portion with an external metallic surface and a main body portion constituted by fireproof nonmetallic composition elements.

The exterior surface of the door, which is constituted in the main by the composition side sheets 1, may be suitably ornamented or paneled as desired, by securing in any suitable manner to the face of said sheets ornamental pieces of molding or plates preferably formed of a fireproof material having tihe same characteristics as the body of the oor.

In Figs. 4 and 5, we have illustrated a type of door, constructed according to our invention, in which the side sheets 1 1 do not extend over the entire facial area of the door, but the door is constructed with a frame surrounding panel sheets or plates which form the central portion. In this type of panel-sheet door, a main frame, which extends around the edge portion of the door, is formed of the side sheets 11 and the internal strips or bars 3 in substantially the same manner as the type of door illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, with the edge sheathing-plate 5 embracing and inclosing the outer edge portion and also with a sheathing edge-plate surrounding and embracing the inner edge portion of said frame. The frames of the character just described are preferably substantially square or rectangular in contour, and within theinclosure constituted by such frame a panel sheet or plate, as at 12, is set with its edge in connection with the central or base portion 6 of the metallic sheathing plate 5 which braces and incloses the inner edge portion of the surrounding frame. In this modified type of door construction, the panel sheets or plates 12 are preferably formed of a non-metallic fireproof material corresponding in its characteristics to the fireproof composition of which the side sheets 11 are formed as hereinbefore described.

In the preferred conditions of construction in the panel-sheet type of door, the central or base portion 6 of the metallic sheathing plate 5 at the inner edge of the surrounding frame is bent or formed to produce a continuous channel or groove, 14, within which the edge of the panel sheet 12 is set and suitably secured adhesively or otherwise, or the sheathing plate may be formed to provide a shoulder or abutment against which the edge of the panel-sheet may be set and secured. This modified panel-sheet construction provides a type of door which is lighter than the type as illustrated in Fig. 1 and is especially adaptable for certain conditions of use.

In the practical construction of the improved door according to our invention, one of the composition side sheets or plates 1 is first set as a base sheet within a suitable inclosing frame, and the internal strips or bars 3 are then placed in series arrangement upon the upper face of said base sheet and secured thereto, after which the other side sheet or plate 1 is placed over said strips or bars and secured thereto. The body struc- UOI ture thus completed is then removed from the frame in which it is assembled, and the metallic sheathing plates 5 are set over the edge portion of said composition body and secured in connection therewith in the manner hereinbefore set forth.

In Fig. 7 we have illustrated a brace construction for strengthening the improved door against any tendency to warping. In doors of the character to which our improvements relate, any warping tendency is usually between the top and bottom of the door and in a direction in planes transversely of the door. To obviate and efiectively meet these conditions, we provide a bracing structure associated with the internal strips or bars 3 and consisting of metallic plates or sheet metal strips, as at 15, extending longitudinally at the respective sides of the bars 3 and adhesively or otherwise secured in connection with said bars, said plates preferably corresponding in area to the sides of said bars. To provide further strengthening in this internal bracing structure, the ends of the metallic plates or strips 15 are preferably turned outwardly at an angle to their main portion, as at 16, to produce flanges which bear against the internal composition structure of the door at the top and bottom and Which are secured thereto by screws or bolts, as at 17. These internal metallic plates or strips, as above described, extending longitudinally in their relation to the internal composition strips or bars 3, do not add materially to the weight of the door but effectively brace the general area of the door structure and enhance its resistance against strains or other warping tendencies.

In Fig. 8, we have illustrated a construction of our improved door which is preferred under some conditions of desired use, in which a metallic sheet or plate, as at 18, is provided over the exterior face or surface of the composition side sheets 1 and has its edges projecting or extending under the side wings 7 of the edge sheathing-plate 5, as at 19, said external metallic sheathing plate being preferably secured by the means 8 which secure the edge sheathing-plate to the composition door structure. In doors constructed in this manner according to our invention, the external metallic sheet or plate 18 constitutes the surface of the door and, in conjunction with the edge sheathing-plate 5, entirely'incloses the internal composition elements.

The advantages of our improved door will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains. The improved construction provides a very simple door structure which is thoroughly braced against any strains or conditions of use and which at the same time insures the characteristic of lightness which is desirable in doors of this class. The improved door is also adapted to be economically and readily manufactured, affords extreme strength and rigidity and possesses in maximum degree all the desired fireproof characterstics. The main body elements of the door are entirely constituted by a fireproof composition which is rigid and non-metallic and undeformable by heat, and these elements are securely braced and maintained in structural relationship by the metallic sheathing plate which embraces and incloses the entire edge portion of the door structure, and the latter is therefore effectively maintained under all circumstances and will not break down under the action of heat.

lVe do not desire to be understood as limiting ourselves to the detail construction and arrangement of parts as herein shown and described, as it is manifest that variations and modifications therein may be resorted to, in the adaptation of our invention to varying conditions of use, without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention and improvements. We therefore reserve the right to all such variations and modifications as properly fall within the scope of our invention and the terms of the following claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. An improved fireproof door of the class described, comprising sheets or plates constituting the face or sides of the door body and. formed of a rigid non-metallic fireproof composition and spaced to form an intervening interior area or air space, means for maintaining said side sheets in spaced structural relation, and a metallic sheathing plate extending continuously at the edge portion of the door body and having a central or base portion bridging the edges of the respective side sheets and the space between the same and wings or side portions covering the outer face of the respective side sheets at the edge portion of the door, said metallic sheathing plate constituting the entire exterior surface at the edge portion of the door and bracing said non-metallic composition elements of the door body in their structural relationship.

2. An improved fire proof door of the class described, comprising sheets or plates constituting the face or sides of the door body and formed of a rigid non-metallic fireproof composition and spaced to form an intervening interior area or air space, means for maintaining said side sheets in spaced structural relation, said means being set within and from the plane of the edges of the separated side sheets to leave a free internal space at said edge portion, and a metallic sheathing plate extending continuously at the edge portion of the door body and having a central or base portion bridging the edges of the respective side sheets and the space between the same and wings or side portions covering the outer face of the respective side sheets at the edge portion of the door, said metallic sheathing plate constituting the entire exterior surface at the edge portion of the door and bracing said non-metallic composition elements of the door body in their structural relationship, whereby the door is adaptable to adjustment to compensate for variations in door-opening frames, substantially as set forth.

3. An improved fireproof door of the class described, comprising sheets or plates con- 7 stituting the face or sides of the door body and formed of a rigid non-metallic fireproof composition and spaced to form an intervening interior area or air space, strips or bars also formed of a non-metallic fireproof composition and extending between said side sheets in said interiorspace and bracing said side sheets in their spaced structural rela tion, metallic strips or plates extending longitudinally with relation to the sides of said internal composition strips orbars and coacting therewith to brace the door structure,

and a metallic sheathing plate extending.

continuously at the edge portion of the door body and having a central or base portionbridging the edges of the respective sidez sheets and the space between the same and 1 Wings or side portions covering the outer face of the respective side sheets at the edge; portion of the door, sa1d.metall1c sheathing.

plate constituting the entire exterior surface at the edge portion of the door and bracing: said non-metallic composition elements ofthe door body in their structural relation-- ship.

stituting the face or sides of said body and formed of a rigid non-metallic fireproofcomposition and spaced to form an intervening interior area or air space, means for maintaining said side sheets in spaced structural relation, a metallic sheathing plate extendmg continuously at the edge portion of said body and having a central or base por tion brldgmg the edges of the respectlve sidev sheets and the space between the same and An improved. fireproof door of the class I described, comprising a body port1on.formmg a frame and having sheets or plates con- 7 position and set within the surrounding frame formed by said body portion with their edges in connection with the metallic sheathing plate which incloses the inner edge of said body frame.

5. An improved fireproof door of the class described, comprising a body portion forming a frame and having sheets or plates constituting the face or sides of said body and formed of a rigid non-metallic fireproof composition and spaced to form an intervening interior area or air space, means for maintaining said side sheets in spaced structural relation, a metallic sheathing plate extending continuously at the edge portion of said bodyand having a central or base portion bridging the edges of the respective side sheets and the space between the same and wings or side portions covering the outer face of the respective side sheets at the edge portions of sa1d body, said metallic sheathing plate constituting the entire eX- terior surface at the edge portion of said 'bodyand bracing sa1d non-metallic composition elements of said body in their structural relationship, the metallic sheathing plate which incloses the inner edge of said body frame having its central or base portion formed with a continuous channel or abutment, and panel sheets or plates also formed of a non-metallic fireproof composition'and set within the surrounding frame formed by said body portion with their edges in connection with the channel or abutment of said inner-edge metallic sheathing plate.

6. An improved fireproof door of the class described, comprising sheets or plates constituting the sides of the door body and formed of a rigid non-metallic fireproof composition and spaced to form an intervening interior air space, means for maintaining said side sheets in spaced structural relation, a metallic sheathing plate extending continuously at the edge portion of the door body and having a central or base portion bridging the edges of the respective side sheets and the space between the same and Wings or side portions covering and extending over the outer face of the respective side sheets at the edge portion of the door, and a metallic sheet or plate extending over the exterior surface of the composition side sheets and merging with said metallic edgesheathing to constitute in conjunction therewith the exterior surface of the door and inclose the internal composition elements.

In testimony whereof we have signed the foregoing specifications.

JAMES A. WHEELER. GEORGE WEBER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

